Foxconn testing 12.9-inch iPad

Reports say that Apple is trialing a larger version of its tablet for a March 2014 launch

Apple is reportedly testing a 12.9-inch variant of the iPad, according to reports.

Foxconn is said to be testing the larger iPad on behalf of Apple. Foxconn is the company that manufacturers iPads on behalf of Apple.

The latest reports were published by PadNews.

No specifications have been mentioned, though it is likely to be similar to the iPad Air.

Apple is said to be targeting a March 2014 unveil date. If correct, it would be five months after the launch of the iPad Air and the iPad Mini 2.

There is no indication on the larger tablet's name. However, it is unlikely to be Maxi or Max due to the possible associations with the popular sanitary towel brand.

There have been previous reports that Apple is working on a larger version of its iPad tablet.

In July it was reported that Apple had begun testing larger iPads with a screen size of just under 13-inches. That tallies with the report that emerged on Tuesday.

In July, analysts said that producing a larger iPad was the only way Apple could continue to grow sales.

“Apple has been slow to react to consumer desire for larger smartphone screens, [and] entry level price points on new phones,” Gillis wrote in an investors note. “Waiting and waiting, for the new products to launch, has become painful.”

Ben Furfie is a former freelance writer for T3.com who produced daily news stories for the site on tech and gadgets. He also live-managed the T3 Award websites during the 2013 and 2014 T3 Awards. Ben later moved into web development and is now a Technical Development Manager leading a team of developers.